Julia Tolstrup

Latest posts by Julia Tolstrup

Is the Best Donut in Connecticut in Waterbury?

Submitted by Julia Tolstrup on Fri, 05/11/2018 - 5:21pm

Some people are picky about vegetables, others about meats or spicy foods, around here we are picky about donuts. Yep. Donuts. Thing is, there are lots to choose from but, like anything else, not all donuts are created equal. Some try to dazzle with big fancy toppers but don't necessarily measure up in the actual donut department while others may be a little too greasy or a little too dry. Across Connecticut there are some places turning out batches of pitch perfect donuts and I wanted to make sure you know about them. So here, from our donut loving home to yours, are some of our top picks when it comes to these sweet, cakey, (questionable) breakfast foods...

Mother's Day FREEBIES in Connecticut

Submitted by Julia Tolstrup on Fri, 05/04/2018 - 2:41pm

Mom. Mommy. Mama. Mother. Her Royal and Omnipotent Shoe Finder Supreme. No matter what you call her, mom is a pretty special lady and she deserves to be celebrated. Whether that means pulling out all the stops for a truly indulgent brunch or spending a day doing stuff the whole family loves (because I'll be honest, my kids don't love brunch that much...) Mother's Day is a moment for moms, ALL MOMS, everywhere to take a little bow for the incredibly hard work we do all year (yep, I said it. We work hard and it's ok to crow about it a little sometimes). In honor of Mother's Day, here are some things moms can do FOR FREE with (or sometimes without...) the family.

Kid Friendly Music Festivals in Connecticut

Submitted by Julia Tolstrup on Tue, 05/01/2018 - 10:00am

Navigating festivals with kids--much like doing anything at all with kids--is a completely different experience than just slathering on the sunscreen, finding a floppy hat, and heading out the door with friends. Most festivals these days are sympathetic to the idea that parents still want to rock out, too. Here is a roundup of some of Connecticut's music festivals and how to (or whether to) approach them with kids in tow.

Slurping Encouraged: Where to find Ramen in Connecticut

Submitted by Julia Tolstrup on Fri, 02/23/2018 - 4:46pm

It's a well-known fact around here that Ramen fixes everything. Not feeling well? Ramen. Had a rough week? Ramen. Tired of the cold, gray skies of winter? Ramen. Trying to solve the Reimann Hypothesis? Ramen. OK. You get the point. Any excuse for Ramen is a good excuse. And luckily, because this delicious noodle bowl has seen a sharp spike in well-deserved popularity, a serving is never too far off no matter where you are in Connecticut. So whether you're new to Ramen or a tried and true noodle aficionado, read on for some of Connecticut's best noodle houses. And remember, slurping is encouraged.

Best Arcades in Connecticut: From Fun Centers to Old School Arcades

Submitted by Julia Tolstrup on Fri, 02/09/2018 - 3:03pm

How do I know it's worth a trip to the best arcades in Connecticut? The day my kids and I walked into an arcade with a giant-sized Space Invaders game, I may or may not have raced them to the token machine. There's just something about the flash and buzz of a good arcade that throws me right back to when I was a kid with a fist full of quarters. These days, I hand off all my prize tickets to my kids, but I still get a thrill out of watching them pour out of the machines. I get an even bigger thrill watching my kids dart around like...well, like kids in an arcade!

Read on to get your game on at Connecticut's best old school arcades and fun centers. With climate control in the summer and winter, the season is always right for some indoor fun.

Totally Free Stuff to Save You from February Madness

Submitted by Julia Tolstrup on Fri, 02/02/2018 - 2:54pm

Well, it depends on which groundhog you ask--Punxatawney Phil predicts six more weeks of winter while Connecticut's own Chuckles the groundhog predicts an early spring. Either way, we all know that even though February is the shortest month it can feel endless at times. Sure we've got the Super Bowl shaking things up this weekend, but it's still cold, it's still getting dark pretty early (though if you're like me you get excited when you realize it's 5:00 pm and still a little dusky) and it's all too easy to succumb to a case of cabin fever. In order to stave off any seasonal meltdowns, I've rounded up 10 family events and activities around Connecticut and the best part is they're all FREE! So when the road conditions permit, bundle up the fam and get out while the getting is good! For even more free stuff to do all year round, check out these 50 Free Things to do Indoors!

8 Easter Bunny Breakfasts and Brunches in Connecticut

Submitted by Julia Tolstrup on Wed, 01/24/2018 - 6:13pm

Breakfast followed by a photo op with the Easter Bunny. Photo courtesy of Mystic Aquarium

Spring has officially sprung! The air is fresh and clean, the sun is (sometimes) shining, and it's time to start polishing up those dress shoes and thinking about a nice Easter brunch. Better yet, brunch with the Easter Bunny himself. Of course, not all kids are thrilled when they finally meet a six-foot-tall rabbit. I've got my share of screaming-child-with-bunny photos stashed in the attic somewhere. But hey, those are cherished memories in their own way and great stories to tell their friends when they're teenagers. Meanwhile, if your kiddo is keen to shake a paw and eat a pancake or two, check out these Easter Bunny brunches and breakfasts around the state. And here's where to go for some Easter Egg Hunts.

Go Karts, Baby! RPM Raceway is Coming to Stamford

Submitted by Julia Tolstrup on Fri, 01/12/2018 - 11:00pm

Hi. It's January. I know. You're feeling stuck indoors, maybe a little bit remorseful about holiday indulgences, and let's face it...kinda stir crazy. We live in New England. That's totally normal. I promise. What we need this time of year is some indoor fun. When outdoors is either frozen or flooded, there's really no other option.